It raining buckets

A. Look at the pictures. Now read the phone conversation get the main idea. Notice how the
text has been improved.

Jake:
Rachel:

Jake:

Rachel:

Jake:
Rachel:
Jake:
Rachel:

Hi Rachel, its Jake here. How are things?

Hey Jake. Whats up? Its great to hear from you. What weather are you having at
Whats the weather like
the moment in Australia.
The weathers lovely today. The temperatures very high and really sunny - it feels
Its boiling hot
like the first day of summer. Were all very happy.
on cloud nine
Oh, Im so jealous, the weather in England is horrible today. Its raining very heavily
raining buckets
and its freezing cold! Were supposed to be going on a picnic tomorrow.
What are the weather forecasters predicting for tomorrow?
Whats the forecast
Well, its meant to be gorgeous, and weve decided to go whether its raining or sunny.
come rain or shine
Well, if its any consolation, theyre predicting storms for us tomorrow, Im going to a
maters barbecue and the weather will probably be awful!
Well lets hope the sun shines for both of us tomorrow! Anyway, tell me all your
news.

B. Read the conversation over the phone and match the idioms/expression to the definitions.

1 What is the weather like in?

whatever the weather or circumstances

2 it is boiling hot/freezing cold

the temperature is very high / very low

3 on cloud nine

rain very heavily

4 rain buckets

a phrase used to ask what weather is predicted in a

certain place for the days ahead

5 What is the forecast for?

very happy

6 come rain or shine

a phrase used to ask what weather there is in a certain

place at a particular moment.

C. Look at the phone conversation again and answer the questions using the idioms /
expressions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

What phrase does Rachel use to ask about the weather were Jack is?
Is it freezing cold and raining in Australia?
How does Jake describe the way hes feeling?
Is it drizzling with rain in England?
What phrase does Jake use to ask about the weather in England in the days ahead?
Is Rachel going to go on the picnic if its raining tomorrow?

D. Rewrite the underlined phrases in these sentences using the idioms/expressions.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Look outside - its pouring with rain.

I was extremely happy when I heard the news.
The temperature is very low in Moscow and very high in Athens.
What weather are you having at the moment in Dubai?
What are the weather forecasters predicting for the weekend?
Im going on holiday whatever happens.

E. Complete the sentences and write something true about yourself.

1. The forecast for the week ahead is __________________________________________________.
2. I was on cloud nine when I _________________________________________________________.
3. Im going to _____________________________________________________, come rain or shine.

F. Read this phone conversation and notice the phrases in bold. They are often used in
informal spoken English. Discuss.
Pete:
Anne:
Pete:
Anne:
Pete:
Anne:
Pete:

Hi Anne.
Hey Pete. How are you doing?
Im fine, thanks. Hows like in the UK? What have you been up to?
Ive been really busy Ive got some news actually. Im going to live in New York with a
mate for a year!
Good grief! What great news! I can show you around and introduce you to all of my
pals.
I know. Im really excited! Listen, I cant really talk now. Can I call you later to tell you all
about it?
Sure, no problem. Speak to you later.

Informal Spoken English

There are some words and phrases that are very common in informal spoken English, but are never
used in formal situations or in written language.
Ex: How are things? and Whats up? are informal ways of saying How are you? and mate is an
informal word for friend.
You must learn informal phrases so that you recognise them when you hear them. If you can use them
in your own conversations, your spoken English will sound more natural and fluent.

G. Answer these questions with one or more of the phrases in bold from Exercise G.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

What words do you use informally as a greeting instead of hello?

What phrase is an informal way of asking, How are you?.
What phrase is used to express surprise.
What two words are used informally for friend? Which is UK English and which is US English?
What phrase do we use to ask what someone has been doing?
What phrase is an informal way of saying goodbye?

H. Complete the phrases with the words in the box.

later

1.
2.
3.
4.

Bye for ____________.

What have you been ________ to?
Speak to you _____________.
How are you _____________?

doing

up

now

I.

Put this conversation in correct order and then practise reading it with your teacher.

Jim: Hi Tom, how are you doing?

Tom:
Good grief! Has he got
room for one more?

Yeah, thats true. Im really pleased for

you though! Listen, I cant talk now. Ill
give you a ring tonight, OK?

Hey Jim, great to hear from

you! Im fine, thanks. What
have you been up to?

Sorry mate, I dont think so.

Anyway, youll be on holiday during
the World cup, wont you?

Well, I have some exciting newsMy

mates just called me and invited me to
go with him to see the World cup.

Sure, no problem. Speak to you later.

J. Respond to these statements using words and phrases from Exercise G.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Hi! _________________________________
Ive just won the lottery! ___________________________________
Bye for now. _________________________________
Whos coming to the party? ___________________________________

Writing Task
In My Experience
Imagine you are talking on the phone to someone in your country about the
weather in England, just like Rachel and Jake in Exercise A. Write the dialogue.
Try ti use as many of the idioms, expressions, and informal spoken words /
phrases from this unit as you can.
Answer these questions:
1. Whats the weather like in England today?
2. Whats the weather like in your country today?